Boston Bruins honor Newton North's Mike Claflin

WALTHAM – Newton North boys lacrosse coach Bussy Adam knows he is not able to lean on Mike Claflin early this season in quite the way he would like to lean on the senior captain out on the turf.

So the coach has decided to pick his spots.

He picked a good one in the season opener.

As the Tigers headed to overtime against Cohasset, the coach put Claflin in the middle of the attack instead of on the perimeter, and he came through with the game-winning goal in a 9-8 victory.

Claflin was in the middle of much of the key action once again on Friday, and in the middle of the Suburban Cup celebration after an 11-5 triumph at Waltham, as he gets up to speed following treatments for lymphoma.

“He is a major part of our program,” Adam said. “He’s a great, great kid. He hasn’t allowed (the treatments) to interfere with his ability to improve and get better.

“Our biggest issue right now is his conditioning because his body has been beat up a little bit. His skills are great. Once we get him in better shape, he’s going to be that much better of a player.”

Last month, North held a dodgeball tournament – called the MC20 Nobody Stands Alone Tournament - for Claflin, who is also a member of the boys hockey program, that included music and a silent auction. North High swimmer Katelin Luce was the student ambassador who helped organize the event with other athletes and the athletic department.

Claflin was also honored as a Boston Bruins MIAA Student-Athlete of the Year. Students are selected on the basis of an exemplary record of complying, both in spirit and letter, with all league and MIAA rules and regulations during the season, a demonstrated record of respectfully accepting the rulings of game officials, a record of conduct – on and off the ice – that brings honor to self, team, school and community, a commitment to teamwork by providing all members with recognition of their talents, an opportunity to contribute them to the team, and a spirit of camaraderie, and a demonstrated respect for opponents before, during, and after games.

Claflin was among those honored at the March 19 Bruins game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at TD Garden.